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Caller ID Spoofing

What is Caller ID spoofing?

Your caller identification (Caller ID) display normally indicates the phone number and name associated with the line used to call you. There are, however, legitimate purposes for altering the Caller ID information provided when placing a call. For example, a call centre that places legitimate calls on behalf of multiple clients may alter the Caller ID information to accurately display their client’s name and telephone number, or a doctor calling to discuss a patient’s lab results may want the hospital’s general call back number to be displayed in the Caller ID in order to direct all future inquiries appropriately.

Unfortunately, illegitimate telemarketers may change the information that appears on the Caller ID display (a practice known as Caller ID spoofing) to misrepresent themselves and to trick Canadians into answering the call. For example:

The Caller ID may be altered to match the first 6-digits of your telephone number so that it looks like a local call, perhaps from a neighbour in your area, also known as ‘neighbouring.’

The Caller ID may display your own telephone number, also known as ‘mirroring.’

The Caller ID may display the number of another individual and/or organization (i.e., pose as a recognizable brand).

The Caller ID may be altered to represent a number that cannot be dialed within the telephone network (e.g. 123-456-7890, 999-999-9999, etc.)

Is Caller ID spoofing illegal?

Telemarketers who make calls to Canadians are required to accurately identify themselves and their client. Telemarketers who use technology to spoof their Caller ID information with inaccurate, false or misleading information violate this requirement. Each violation of the Unsolicited Telemarketing Rules can lead to fines up to $1,500 per violation for an individual and $15,000 per violation for a corporation.

How do I protect myself from spoofed calls?

Note: If you suspect fraud, you can report it to your local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501), a national service jointly operated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Competition Bureau.

Exercise caution if you are asked to provide personal information (e.g., banking information, password). When in doubt, hang u­­­­p and call the number on your account statement or the organization’s website.

Certain calling options or features may be available to you to block or filter unsolicited and illegitimate telemarketing calls.

Note: The CRTC asked telecommunications service providers and other parties to provide information on the calling options and features available to help Canadians protect themselves from these calls, and has published a summary of their responses. As a result of a recent public consultation(see below), the CRTC will determine what further measures are required to protect the privacy of Canadians and to prevent undue inconvenience or nuisance resulting from telemarketing calls.

What else is the CRTC doing about it?

New! To better protect Canadians against nuisance calls, new measures will gradually be implemented by telecom service providers to fight spoofing. By March 2019, it will be easier to identify spoofed calls and to figure out the origin of nuisance calls. To read the decision:

A decision was issued to set out findings on technical solutions that Canadians could use to protect themselves from unwanted, unsolicited and illegitimate calls. The CRTC is also directing service providers to develop solutions to block nuisance calls within their network. Service providers must also report back to the CRTC, within 180 days, from the date of this decision, with details of the filtering services they offer, or intend to offer, to their subscribers. This is to ensure that all Canadians have a base level of protection against the most illegitimate nuisance calls. Learn more: